EDITORIAL: City needs to OK zoning for Harris Teeter

Published: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 09:47 PM.

Most of the opponents live in the area. They say the development will bring additional traffic, which they do not want.

If opponents bring enough pressure to win two votes on the city council, the zoning change goes down and, apparently, the deal between willing buyer and willing seller.

All is lost because of rules by a government that has no ownership of the property.

Supporting the property owner is the best way for the council to vote tonight and any other time zoning stands in the way of the owner’s desire to do as he or she wishes with his land.

In this case, a vote to change the obstructive zoning would pave the way for economic development and jobs for this community with a 9.6-percent unemployment rate.

Developers say the supermarket and additional shopping area would create 300 to 400 new jobs. Those jobs are greatly needed here and would provide a boost to the local economy.

To dismiss area residents’ concerns about traffic would be short-sighted by the council. There is a wealth of information available about new development and the traffic it does or does not bring, as well as the patterns of traffic that does increase.

Not, unfortunately, for a 20-acre parcel in Gastonia at the corner of Robinwood and Kendrick roads.

Before the seller can sell and the buyer buy, the Gastonia City Council must give its blessing and change the zoning classification to allow for a development, anchored by a Harris-Teeter supermarket, the buyer plans to build.

No change, no deal. The willing buyer and the willing seller get hosed by government regulations.

A council vote on the zoning change is expected tonight. Also expected is a standing-room-only crowd of people who oppose the proposed development.

Most of the opponents live in the area. They say the development will bring additional traffic, which they do not want.

If opponents bring enough pressure to win two votes on the city council, the zoning change goes down and, apparently, the deal between willing buyer and willing seller.

All is lost because of rules by a government that has no ownership of the property.

Supporting the property owner is the best way for the council to vote tonight and any other time zoning stands in the way of the owner’s desire to do as he or she wishes with his land.

In this case, a vote to change the obstructive zoning would pave the way for economic development and jobs for this community with a 9.6-percent unemployment rate.

Developers say the supermarket and additional shopping area would create 300 to 400 new jobs. Those jobs are greatly needed here and would provide a boost to the local economy.

To dismiss area residents’ concerns about traffic would be short-sighted by the council. There is a wealth of information available about new development and the traffic it does or does not bring, as well as the patterns of traffic that does increase.

It would be wise for the council to find solutions if traffic is a problem because of new development.

There is another important issue brought to light by this zoning request. It is Gastonia’s stance on new business.

To place a roadblock on the development would send a mighty signal that this is not a business-friendly community and discourage further new business that would bring purchasing choices to residents and, most definitely, additional jobs.

That’s not a signal to send if the council wants Gastonia to flourish and thrive, adding to its existing desirability as a great place to live – and increasing the tax base so that an excessive burden is not on residents and the homes in which they live.

The council has postponed action on the rezoning request once. It is time to remove the uncertainty.

We encourage council members to move forward with a vote tonight, approving the zoning change so that the deal between the willing buyer and the willing seller can be complete. The right to do what he or she desires with the land belongs to the property owner.